Ruth Berneking's Obituary
L. Ruth Berneking, 96, of Decatur, passed away Monday, March 9, 2020, at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, in Bloomington, surrounded by her loving family.
Ruth was born October 23, 1923 in St. Charles, South Dakota, the youngest of 10, born to John Frank and Bertha Irene (Scott) Britton. She graduated from St. Charles, S.D High School. She attended Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, S.D., where she met her husband to be. In 1942, she took a Civil Service exam and received an appointment to Washington, D.C. to work for the Office of Chief of Staff in the Munitions Building and later the Pentagon. Ruth received several commendations for her work and attendance record.
She married Raymond Frederick Berneking on May 27, 1945 in Wheaton, MN. He passed away January 13, 1989. They spent their early months as husband and wife in Newport, Rhode Island. Her husband’s career as an F.B.I. Special Agent took them to offices in Chicago, West Virginia, Danville, Springfield and Decatur, IL. They were members of Christ United Methodist Church since 1957. Ruth volunteered at Fair Havens Nursing Home for 35 years. She enjoyed gardening during early married life, sewing for her children, then grandchildren. She loved to sew matching clothes! During her early retirement years, she enjoyed doing woodworking and crafts including making wooden chairs for her grandchildren. Ruth crocheted hundreds of potholders for donation, in addition to, crocheting mats for the homeless out of plastic grocery bags. She also contributed crocheted squares for Pieces of Love afghans.
She is survived by her five children, Dianne (Ralph) Herndon of Augusta, MO, Katherine (Paul) Rhodes of Hobart, IN, Ray (Kathy) Berneking of Decatur, IL, Donna (Alan) Engle of Bloomington, IL and Debra (George) Over of Douglasville, GA; fourteen grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; nine siblings, one son-in-law and one great-grandson.
Ruth was a strong, loving woman, who enjoyed spending time with her large family at their annual Christmas gatherings, vacationing at the Lake of the Ozarks and playing cards. She will always be remembered as a kind and giving soul, who will be sorely missed by her family and friends.
Visitation services to celebrate the life of Ruth Berneking will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 12, 2020, at Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. Memorials may be directed to Former Agents of the F.B. I. Foundation 3717 Fettler Park Drive Dumfries, VA 22025 or PT Boats Inc., P.O. Box 38070 Germantown, TN 38183-0070.
The family of Ruth Berneking is being served by Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home, 2091 N. Oakland Ave. Decatur, IL. Please view the online obituary, send condolences, and share memories at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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